On a separate topic - Julien fired in Montreal.

If the players don't perform, coach takes the fall, doesn't matter how good of a coach you are, or your track record! Maybe too many youngsters playing key roles?

Wonder if Carey Price is still "Carey Price"? To my way of thinking, Hellebuyck, Price and Vasilevsky have been the three best tenders in the league lately. (stepping out on the limb)
- grahamzky

If Montreal is playing bad, what does that make Winnipeg? They are only 1 point ahead of Montreal

I might have/would have said that about Gus's and Vessy's skating last year, but they are different players this season, when given the chance. Especially Vessy - he is ready for the big show IMO.

Defense? I'm good with:
Morrissey-Poolman
Frobert-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo
Beaulieu as the 7th with Samberg and Heinola playing
big minutes with the Moose. Anyone see the Moose - what
about Chisholm?

The developmental minutes with the Moose should pay big dividends in the long run when injuries occur - and injuries will occur.
- grahamzky

Fair enough. Havn't seen a ton of Gus or Ves as they have been jumping in and out of the roster on limited roles. Of the little I did see, I thought both were weak skaters. Not saying you have to have blazing speed to be effective, but they should at least prove that they are effective in the AHL first. High reps.

And yes, I am not complaining with the Jets D performance. They have been very strong, especially if Beaulieu gets bumped out of the roster for Stanley. Forbort and Pionk are one of the best pairing in the North right now, and they combine for only 4M! I do think a true #1D is still required to really compete against the best 3 teams in the league. Jets don't have a Hedman/Makar/Piett. But for what they are paying that D roster, they are doing excellent.

If Montreal is playing bad, what does that make Winnipeg? They are only 1 point ahead of Montreal
- BWJumper

I said this at the start of the season when they overpaid for Allan, and traded for Anderson (didn't mind the trade, but heavily question that expensive extension). I believe Burgervan was given an ultimatum, make a serious playoff push, or your fired. I think Julien is the latest of his panic moves, and will not be surprised when he makes another bold move. Considering Mtl was the last of the 24 teams to enter the playoffs last season, and have the record they do today, firing Julien seems unfair.

If Montreal is playing bad, what does that make Winnipeg? They are only 1 point ahead of Montreal
- BWJumper

1 point ahead of Montreal and both teams with 18games played.

Some differences:
1)Montreal hasn't (aside from Covid play in round) been in true playoffs in CJ's time
2)Started the season on fire and hit a long losing skid since
3)Bergevin has a willy-nilly approach to management and very likely he doesn't last long if they miss the playoffs again.

If the NHL got the call right on the disallowed goal does CJ still have his job?

1 point ahead of Montreal and both teams with 18games played.

Some differences:
1)Montreal hasn't (aside from Covid play in round) been in true playoffs in CJ's time
2)Started the season on fire and hit a long losing skid since
3)Bergevin has a willy-nilly approach to management and very likely he doesn't last long if they miss the playoffs again.

If the NHL got the call right on the disallowed goal does CJ still have his job?
- 2.0

Montreal changes coaches more than the average person changes the toilet paper roll. I've never regarded CJ as a great coach anyways.

Montreal changes coaches more than the average person changes the toilet paper roll. I've never regarded CJ as a great coach anyways.
- jetsnation

It’s almost as often as Maurice plays centers on the wing. I guess Dubois did not develop right in CBJ so now Maurice is going to keep playing him on the wing until he believes in him enough to play him at center.

I guess Maurice must have really liked his grind on the wing!

Montreal changes coaches more than the average person changes the toilet paper roll. I've never regarded CJ as a great coach anyways.
- jetsnation

Julien isn’t great. He’s good, though, and he’s got a Cup.

Unlike someone we know...

Julien isn’t great. He’s good, though, and he’s got a Cup.

Unlike someone we know...
- Rexypoo

Julien's system with the Jets forward group and goaltending would have them in first place right now.

It’s almost as often as Maurice plays centers on the wing. I guess Dubois did not develop right in CBJ so now Maurice is going to keep playing him on the wing until he believes in him enough to play him at center.

I guess Maurice must have really liked his grind on the wing!
- TheUltimateJet

He'll be on the wing until he gets into full game shape and learns the Jets system. It's the right move which any coach would also do. The Center's have a lot more ground to cover at both ends of the ice. You also can't just throw him into such an important position until he is comfortable with the system. Even Dubios said he had to be bailed out several times by Scheif and Wheeler on misreads. A few more games, maybe even another two weeks and you'll see him shifted back to the center spot.

Montreal changes coaches more than the average person changes the toilet paper roll. I've never regarded CJ as a great coach anyways.
- jetsnation

But no doubt the only coaches you DO like are Jon Cooper (Stanley Cup winner last season) and some undefeated pre-novice coaches.

The rest - el crapo!

He'll be on the wing until he gets into full game shape and learns the Jets system. It's the right move which any coach would also do. The Center's have a lot more ground to cover at both ends of the ice. You also can't just throw him into such an important position until he is comfortable with the system. Even Dubios said he had to be bailed out several times by Scheif and Wheeler on misreads. A few more games, maybe even another two weeks and you'll see him shifted back to the center spot.
- jetsnation

Exactly! PLD did not play all his time at centre in Columbus, lots of time on the wing. So many centres start their career on the wing before moving to the C position.

The lines are not set in stone, PLD will see lots of time at the C spot, when he gets in game shape, and the time is right. Boy, for some, panic city!

Exactly! PLD did not play all his time at centre in Columbus, lots of time on the wing. So many centres start their career on the wing before moving to the C position.

The lines are not set in stone, PLD will see lots of time at the C spot, when he gets in game shape, and the time is right. Boy, for some, panic city!
- grahamzky

You forgot to mention how well he grinds!

I am just hoping that the Jets develop some good structure to their game and once that is accomplished, this team is Stanley Cup bound. Too much talent not to win a cup.

Exactly! PLD did not play all his time at centre in Columbus, lots of time on the wing. So many centres start their career on the wing before moving to the C position.

The lines are not set in stone, PLD will see lots of time at the C spot, when he gets in game shape, and the time is right. Boy, for some, panic city!
- grahamzky

Name one top 6 NHL centre actively playing that started their career as a winger. I’m talking at least 50% of their total games, or a stretch of 20+ games in a row, played as a winger in any of their first 3 seasons before becoming a full time C

Name one top 6 NHL centre actively playing that started their career as a winger. I’m talking at least 50% of their total games, or a stretch of 20+ games in a row, played as a winger in any of their first 3 seasons before becoming a full time C
- Rexypoo

The is no better example than Leon Draisaitl who is a natural center may have actually played more games at wing than at center and no one is complaining. Often he is moved over to wing in the third when the Oilers need more offensive punch and he is put on McDavid's right side. Over the years it's been about 50% at center and 50% on the wing.

You've see Malkin on Crosby's wing a lot over the years. I'm sure there are a ton of examples probably too numerous to even mention.

The is no better example than Leon Draisaitl who is a natural center may have actually played more games at wing than at center and no one is complaining. Often he is moved over to wing in the third when the Oilers need more offensive punch and he is put on McDavid's right side. Over the years it's been about 50% at center and 50% on the wing.

You've see Malkin on Crosby's wing a lot over the years. I'm sure there are a ton of examples probably too numerous to even mention.
- jetsnation

Did those teams have wingers as talented as Connor, Ehlers, and Wheeler?

The is no better example than Leon Draisaitl who is a natural center may have actually played more games at wing than at center and no one is complaining. Often he is moved over to wing in the third when the Oilers need more offensive punch and he is put on McDavid's right side. Over the years it's been about 50% at center and 50% on the wing.

You've see Malkin on Crosby's wing a lot over the years. I'm sure there are a ton of examples probably too numerous to even mention.
- jetsnation

Some pretty specific (and random) requirements to meet all rexy criteria but it’s very common to start centres on wing. Crosby must have been close to a half season with lemieux and Palfy.

I am not convinced that any of our prospects would tip the scales so much but they have to be rushed into the lineup. The team is winning. Nothing right now is worth compromising their development whether that is skills from practicing with the team, physical development, emotional adjustment, or learning to be a better professional.
- 2.0[url]

They can develop in the NHL as well, and I’d rather have better players play.

It’s like we live in a perpetual develop for the future loop. Let the kids play now so they are ready for the playoffs. They are already better than half dozen current Jets. Colorado is running an almost entire D core of kids and excelling with them. Play better players have better results

Some pretty specific (and random) requirements to meet all rexy criteria but it’s very common to start centres on wing. Crosby must have been close to a half season with lemieux and Palfy.
- 2.0

In 7 years of Maurice, how many wingers has he successfully turned into centers?

I will give you a hint the answer is less than 1. Scheifele got lucky that he played under Noel for a bit or else Maurice would have had him playing wing too.

In 7 years of Maurice, how many wingers has he successfully turned into centers?

I will give you a hint the answer is less than 1. Scheifele got lucky that he played under Noel for a bit or else Maurice would have had him playing wing too.
- TheUltimateJet

Adam Lowry and arguably Andrew Copp and Jack Roslovic. Lowry played a lot of wing until 2015, Copp can play either position and Jack wasn't able to supplant Scheifele, Stasny or Little, neither is he a 3rd/4th line player.

Adam Lowry and arguably Andrew Copp and Jack Roslovic. Lowry played a lot of wing until 2015, Copp can play either position and Jack wasn't able to supplant Scheifele, Stasny or Little, neither is he a 3rd/4th line player.
- 2.0

The list is long for both Maurice and pretty much every other coach. Even McDavid didn't have a great first year at center and was moved to the wing for a while while he got his feet wet. This wing to center argument is ridiculous. PLD belongs on the wing until he is fully fit and knows the system and the same with most rookies.

Name one top 6 NHL centre actively playing that started their career as a winger. I’m talking at least 50% of their total games, or a stretch of 20+ games in a row, played as a winger in any of their first 3 seasons before becoming a full time C
- Rexypoo

Christ I'm not going to go back and check all the stats you seem to have at your disposal, but how about Leon Draisaitl? Dubois? I believe that Malkin and Seguin both spent time on the wing at one point, maybe even MacKinnon? Maybe not a whole lot of time, but some.

You must have an abundance of free time?

The list is long for both Maurice and pretty much every other coach. Even McDavid didn't have a great first year at center and was moved to the wing for a while while he got his feet wet. This wing to center argument is ridiculous. PLD belongs on the wing until he is fully fit and knows the system and the same with most rookies.
- jetsnation

This is an interesting statement. How come Hendricks, Thompson and Letestu did not start on the wing to learn the system? Are you suggesting that all those players have a higher hockey IQ than PLD?